Trump’s pitch to Republican candidates: Really good looking may help win voters

Praise for Republican candidates

At a Saturday rally in Kentucky, Trump singled out Ed Gallrein, a former U.S. Navy SEAL running for the U.S. House. Trump called him “beautiful” and said he looked like “Central casting.”

Trump also praised Ohio Sen. Jon Husted, who is seeking reelection, calling him “a perfect person, good-looking guy.” He then joked about inspecting Husted’s appearance, prompting laughter at the rally.

Appearance as a campaign theme

Trump has often commented on people’s appearance, both to praise them and to ridicule them. Before entering politics, he owned the Miss Universe beauty pageant and became widely known through the reality television show “The Apprentice.” His appraisals are now part of his efforts to promote Republican candidates in the midterms. The election will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress or Trump faces stronger Democratic opposition in Washington. Campaign debates have also included questions about which candidates are more masculine.

Criticism crosses party lines

Trump has not limited appearance-based criticism to Democrats. At the Republican midterm convention in Texas, he said he did not like the way Republican Senate candidate Paxton looked, while also saying Paxton’s conservative record as attorney general mattered more than his suit.

Trump has mocked Paxton’s Democratic opponent, James Talarico, by comparing him to Alfred E. Neuman, the MAD magazine mascot. In Georgia on Friday, he compared Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff to Pee-wee Herman while campaigning for Ossoff’s opponent, Rep. Mike Collins.

Georgia candidate comparisons

At the Georgia rally, Trump rejected the idea that Ossoff was good-looking and instead praised Collins as “a good-looking man” who was “all man.” He also called Rick Jackson “a very handsome, distinguished, beautiful-looking guy.” The remarks echo Trump’s focus on physical appearance in earlier campaign events, including his comments about Husted. The article describes those judgments as part of his broader approach to praising or ridiculing political figures.